Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com, updates us with the latest on Cuban SS prospect Yoan Moncada who is expected to start private workouts within two weeks. Moncada continues to wait for clearance by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which will then pave the way for MLB teams to sign him.

Over 70 scouts representing all 30 MLB teams including the Mets scouted Moncada‘s public workout in Guatemala last month. The Yankees, Braves, Red Sox and Cubs all reportedly had four or more scouts in attendance.

Sanchez says scouts have called Moncada the next Jorge Soler and his skills have been matched up against Yasiel Puig’s at the same age.

“He once beat new Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo in a base running competition and his power has been compared to Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas.”

Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com says the consensus among scouts is that Moncada is as good as advertised.

“He’s worth going way over your international spending pool, in my opinion,” one scouting director said. “This game is about talent and Moncada is the kind of talent worth the investment.”

When asked to grade out his tools based on this workout, one scout gave Mayo the following scouting grades (20-80 scale):

Hit — 60 Power — 60 Speed — 70 Arm — 60 Field — 50

According to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports, four different MLB executives and general managers predicted that Cuban infielder Yoan Moncada will land a record-breaking $30-40 million dollar signing bonus. Passan calculates that with the tax, Moncada would cost teams around $80 million dollars.

Moncada, 19, falls under the MLB International Bonus Pool guidelines, which means for every dollar a team goes beyond its allotted budget they must pay a 100 percent tax. Additionally, if a team goes 15 percent beyond its pool, it cannot spend more than $300,000 on an International free agent for the next two signing periods.

November 12

Today’s the day that all MLB teams including the Mets will have scouts watching the showcase of Cuban shortstop Yoan Moncada. This is the first real look that teams will get of Moncada, according to Ben Badler of two sources Baseball America.

According to what two sources told Kristie Ackert of the Daily News, the Mets expect to have a scout at the first workout of Cuban shortstop Yoan Moncada, which is tentatively scheduled for next week.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com expects that most major league teams are expected to be in attendance for Moncada’s workout, which is tentatively scheduled for November 12.

“Scouts have called Moncada the next Jorge Soler and his skills have been matched up against Yasiel Puig’s at the same age,” he writes.

“He once beat new Red Sox outfielder Rusney Castillo in a base running competition and his power has been compared to Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas.”

“The scouts are high on him,” another source said of Moncada. “We’ll be there to take a look.”

Moncada, 19, is subject to international signing guidelines. Once he’s cleared as a free agent, teams who exceeded their allotted budget will be charged a penalty. Those teams include the Cubs, Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays.

The penalty for exceeding the allotted budget by 15 percent or more would be a a 100 percent tax, plus not being allowed to sign a player for more than $250,000 during the 2014-15 signing period.

The Mets have been mostly bystanders as these Cuban players make their way to major league baseball, many of whom have made a great impact. Despite what they say, they are still hampered financially and continue to avoid entering into bidding contests with other financially fit teams.

In their latest Baseball Futures, leading online sports bookers Bovada, cast the Mets with 25/1 odds to win the World Series, tied with the White Sox, Yankees and Royals.

Twelve other teams were favored in front of them with the Dodgers, Red Sox and Nationals the heavy favorites, respectively.

Los Angeles Dodgers – 15/2

Boston Red Sox – 9/1

Washington Nationals – 10/1

Chicago Cubs – 12/1

Detroit Tigers – 12/1

Los Angeles Angels – 12/1

San Francisco Giants – 16/1

Seattle Mariners – 16/1

St. Louis Cardinals – 16/1

Baltimore Orioles – 18/1

San Diego Padres – 18/1

Toronto Blue Jays – 18/1

Chicago White Sox – 25/1

Kansas City Royals – 25/1

New York Mets – 25/1

New York Yankees – 25/1

Atlanta Braves – 28/1

The Phillies, Twins and Astros hold up the rear with 150/1 odds.

These futures were generated on December 1 and do not include any of the over 150 players that have switched uniforms this month. It will be interesting to see how they change in January and which teams increase their odds for the better.

In a New York Times article, former Met Al Leiter said that fans have many reasons to be excited about the Mets, citing their young pitching. “They could be and should be a playoff team,” Leiter said.

The real shame here is that with better owners the Mets could very well steal the city back from the Yankees who have owned this town for two decades.

When you have the money the Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees have, it’s so easy to overcome mistakes and get right back in the game again in a year or two rather than a 6-8 year rebuilding process. The best free agent players in the game tend to follow the money.

Once considered a potential prime trading partner for Mets starting pitchers, their rotation is now complete.

Cespedes, 29, gives the Tigers another big bat in the middle of their lineup that already includes Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, and J.D. Martinez. He batted .260 last season with 36 doubles, 22 home runs and 100 RBI in what was a down season for him.

The Mets were linked to Cespedes early in the offseason, but later said they were never interested in him.

]]>http://metsmerizedonline.com/2014/12/red-sox-deal-cespedes-to-detroit-for-porcello.html/feed/0Mariners Lockup One Of Their Own, Will Mets Be Ready To Do Likewise When Time Comes?http://metsmerizedonline.com/2014/11/mariners-lockup-one-of-their-own-will-mets-be-ready-to-do-likewise-when-time-comes.html/
http://metsmerizedonline.com/2014/11/mariners-lockup-one-of-their-own-will-mets-be-ready-to-do-likewise-when-time-comes.html/#commentsWed, 26 Nov 2014 14:25:12 +0000http://metsmerizedonline.com/?p=170773

Kyle Seager signed a $100 million dollar 7-year extension with the Mariners on Monday. The deal absorbs his final two years of salary arbitration and tacks on five more years and a team option, keeping him in a Mariners uniform until 2022 (his 34th birthday).

Seager is something of an oddity. He was drafted out of the University of North Carolina in 2009 at 22 and was never a highly ranked prospect. He has nevertheless established himself as a power threat at the hot corner, albeit a modest one — dampened by Safeco Field. He is also the first player to sign a nine-figure deal without at least one .800 OPS season.

Younger exceptional players like Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, Evan Longoria, and (yes) Ryan Braun, and even somewhat less exceptional players like Seager are increasingly signing extensions that swallow up their prime years, while on the other end of the “team control” spectrum you have older but still productive players getting qualifying offers. The combined effect of this pinching severely attenuates the free agency talent pool at its margins.

In the past, players like Seager were more likely to hold out until their six year team commitment expired, entering free agency with their prime still in the offing … these days that doesn’t happen. From the player’s standpoint the incentive is twofold, they’d prefer to have the money now rather than later (a bird in hand), and they’re lured by the promise of long term security, mitigating the risk of injury or decline. Most players like Seager would be foolish not to sign these extensions. If you look at dollars per WAR it is also precisely in these types (and even pre-arbitration) players that teams are relying on for wins.

Seager is sort of a template on how to maximize team control over a player’s prime – eerily reminiscent of reserve clause “fruits of development” labor arguments. You draft a promising older player out of college, delay his start time, let him play out his first couple of pre-arbitration years at the major league level, and then, provided he performs at a high level, you sign him to a “fan friendly” extension absorbing his prime production seasons.

One benefit of these retention tactics is that teams get to keep homegrown stars — which is good for the fans, but a disemboweled free agent talent pool will eventually bring salaries down — which is good for MLB. Now it’s usually at this point in the discussion when I get some push-back. In spite of all the wasted sunken dollars, free agent compensation has not decreased. Matt Swartz in The Hardball Times, looked at Dollars/WAR in 2013 and it increased slightly.

I find this almost as mind boggling as the Pablo Sandoval contract. I mean I know pandas are endangered but five years and $95 million?

So what gives? Shin-Soo Choo got $18 million last year for .2 WAR, then there’s B.J. Upton, Brian McCann, Josh Hamilton … the “unmitigated contract disaster” list gets longer every year. Why do teams continue to spend lavishly on free agents? Why would the Red Sox spend $183 million on two free agents a year removed from a purge that saw them unload a slew of cumbersome contracts? MLB’s unprecedented media cash flow may have something to do with it, but still.

It could also be that teams still believe in having a strong mix of veterans and youth and that the Red Sox simply feel they had the wrong veteran presence before (Hanley in left? Really?). Perhaps, like the Mets and Michael Cuddyer, they feel having the right veteran influence can mean all the difference. Even so, I seriously doubt a savvy organization like the Red Sox doesn’t understand the inherent risks in giving out long FA contracts given the data. It’s almost like some teams impulsively throw money around just for the heck of it … perhaps it’s a “use it or lose it” dynamic with spending allocations. Sadly the Mets are not in a position to take these kinds of risks, by necessity they are betting on their own generation of young controllable stars, and that’s really where the smart money is.

Players like Michael Conforto could (contractually) take a very similar path to Kyle Seager. Like Seager, Conforto was drafted as a college player and will probably not see his major league clock start for another couple of years. Conforto would then be around 27 or 28 before the Mets are pressed into deciding whether to offer him a pre-arbitration extension which would give them control over him until around his 33rd birthday … right around the average point of decline. If he is still playing at a high level? You Q.O. him, bam, done.

The earliest Brandon Nimmo will see the major leagues is late in 2015 by which time he’ll be 22. If he proves to be all-star caliber then an extension would take him through his 30th birthday … not quite optimal but between an option year and the Q.O. the Mets would still get him for most of his prime. People keep praising the Mets for being patient, but I wonder how much of this patience is an economic consideration orchestrated to ensure control of players through their most valuable seasons.

Now Dilson Herrera was brought up at the age of 20, and, like Reyes, could see his clock run out during his prime … why? Your guess is as good as mine on that one. Maybe it was organizational need, or maybe they see Herrera as the sort of complimentary impact player who is worth the gamble. The Mets seem to be taking “a little of everything” approach. They have the long developing High School draftees as well as the fast track college players, they have players who have stepped on all the rungs as well as players who have skipped levels, they have phenoms and dark horses alike in their pitching ranks. The Mets minor leagues are an exercise in overkill … which is as it should be when you consider failure rates.

One thing is clear, there will be a point in the next few seasons when the Mets will be faced with some tough decisions on whether to extend a growing list of high performing youngsters. Between Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Travis d’Arnaud, followed by Syndergaard, Nimmo and Conforto, it amounts to a $100 million (or more) extension being doled out every year or two starting at around 2016 … that’s an awful lot of spending from an organization that appears to have completely forgotten how that works.

It’s worrisome from a fan’s perspective … especially when you consider that the only thing worse than this recent stretch of losing would be to let all the fruits of our suffering walk away one by one. All we can do is hope Sandy Alderson has his $100 million dollar extension checkbook at the ready.

Manager Terry Collins will hold his First Official Press Conference on February 18. Then after two weeks of throwing, running and fielding drills, physical training, motivational speeches, and some team building events like bowling nights, the Mets will open their 2015 Grapefruit League schedule on Wednesday, March 4 vs. the Atlanta Braves in Disney.

The Mets first home game will be Friday, March 6 vs. the American League Central champion Detroit Tigers at 1:10 p.m. in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Mets will play 33 exhibition games, including 15 home games at Tradition Field.

The Mets will host the Yankees in Port St. Lucie on Sunday, March 22 at 1:10 p.m. and will travel to Tampa to take on their cross-town rivals on Wednesday, March 25 at 1:05 p.m. The Mets will also play the Boston Red Sox Sunday, March 8 in Port St. Lucie at 1:10 p.m.

The Amazins will play the NL East champion Washington Nationals six times, the NL Central champion St. Louis Cardinals six times, the Miami Marlins six times, the Atlanta Braves four times, the Houston Astros, Tigers, Yankees and Red Sox twice and the Tampa Bay Rays once.

Additionally, Sandoval’s agent, Gustavo Vasquez, has finally acknowledged that the deal with Red Sox is done.

The Red Sox are planning to hold a press conference to announce both Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez on Tuesday.

9:00 AM

Jon Heyman of CBS Sportshas reported that the Red Sox have come to terms on a five-year deal with Pablo Sandoval that is worth close to $100 million. This story coming the morning after the news broke that the Red Sox will be finalizing a contract with shortstop Hanley Ramirez today.

However, agent Gustavo Vasquez says no agreement has been reached and that his client is still weighing offers, Alex Speier of WEEI reports.

The 28-year old Sandoval is a career .294 hitter while averaging 20 home runs and 86 RBIs. Even more impressive is his .344/.389/.545 career postseason slash line.

He is a three-time World Series champion, in 2010, 2012 and 2014, all with the San Francisco Giants. He took home the MVP honors in the 2012 World Series against the Detroit Tigers.

As reported by Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, free agent Hanley Ramirez will travel to Boston on Monday to finalize a contract with the Boston Red Sox. Rosenthal also noted that the deal is for five years and in the $90 million range.

Over the past week or so, signs have pointed to the Red Sox actively pursuing third basemen Pablo Sandoval. However, this may take them out of that bidding war because Hanley Ramirez could make the move from shortstop to the hot corner, given his age and injury history.

However, some insiders have pointed to the Red Sox trying to sign both free agent stars. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Red Sox have an offer out for Sandoval and he is expected to make his decision sometime this week between the Sox, Giants, and Padres.

ESPN’s Buster Olney adds a different twist and hears that if Ramirez and Sandoval both go to Boston, Ramirez will play left field, while Sandoval will play third base. That would mean top prospect Xander Bogaerts will remain at shortstop.

Appearing on MLB Network Radio, GM Ben Cherington said the Red Sox will listen to trade proposals for all of their outfielders, but that they’re not eager to deal any one of them including Yoenis Cespedes.

“By this time we’ve talked to just about every team. Several teams have asked about our outfielders, not any one in particular. Because we have some depth there, theoretically, we’ve gotten asked on that, particularly with teams that may match up. I’m not ruling out getting into a trade conversations where we might match up. But there is no particular player that we’re looking to move, including Cespedes.”

Many are speculating that the Red Sox will need to trade an outfielder this winter, with Cespedes, Mookie BettsandDaniel Nava among those players teams will be most interested in.

Cespedes is in the final year of his contract which will pay him $10.2 million in 2015. The buzz from Boston beat writers is that the Red Sox are looking for high end prospects and particularly MLB ready starting pitchers.

Sandy Alderson has been reluctant to move young arms like Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom for an impact bat with three or more years of team control in the past. That means there’s zero chance he moves either of them for a one year rental.

Also working against the Mets is payroll limitations. Both ownership and Alderson have said there will be no spike in payroll for 2015. The team is already tasked with having to consider trading one of Daniel Murphy, Dillon Gee or Jon Niese, just so they can squeeze out some flexibility to fill a need.

Cespedes recently switched agencies to Roc Nation Sports, and the logical conclusion is that he won’t agree to any extension and is committed to free agency after next season. Jon Heyman predicts that as many as 10 teams will have serious interest in Cespedes this Winter.

Even if the Mets were to give up the young arm Boston wants, then you have the question on whether the Mets have the resources to add another $100 million dollar player when they already have David Wrightand Curtis Granderson set to earn $36 million combined annually for the next three years? That would mean having over $50 million – and nearly two-thirds of the payroll – concentrated on three players.

Patrick G. asks…

I am sick and tired of hedging on young and available players who can help this team get over the hump and into the postseason. Yasiel Puig wasn’t major league ready. Wrong! Jose Abreu‘s power wouldn’t translate. Wrong! Starlin Castro doesn’t fit our approach. Wrong! The Mets and even the fans are LONG on excuses and short on answers. It looks like we have a prime opportunity to grab Yoenis Cespedes from the Red Sox and all you keep hearing is no way, costs too much, power won’t play at Citi, yada, yada, yada. How can you look at our MLB worst left field production since 2009 and still not do anything about it? Don’t you agree?

Joe D. replies…

The excuses are mostly cover for the fact that the Mets’ owners and front office lack the money, the resources, and the motivation to add the players you mention. To prevent any media or fan backlash, they typically leak negative information to the media or get the message delivered through their outlets, whether it’s true or not. It’s their way of trying to minimize fan outrage and apathy, and also subdue fan interest in particular players.

As for Cespedes, we’ve discussed him and dissected that possibility from every imaginable angle. But it always leads to the same ultimate and logical conclusion.

Let me summarize it for you this way…

1. Cespedes is certainly available and is in the final year of his contract which will pay him $10.2 million in 2015.

2. The buzz from Boston beat writers is that the Red Sox are looking for high end prospects and particularly MLB ready starting pitchers.

3. With Cespedes having recently switched agencies to Roc Nation Sports, the logical conclusion is that he won’t agree to any extension and is committed to free agency after next season.

Here’s whats working against the Mets acquiring Cespedes…

1. First and foremost payroll limitations. On several occasions, both ownership and Sandy Alderson himself have said there will be no spike in payroll for 2015. The team is already tasked with having to consider trading their only All Star last season just to clear room for expected raises. One of Dillon Gee or Jon Niese may also be moved, just so they can squeeze out some flexibility to fill a need.

2. Sandy Alderson has been reluctant to move young arms like Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom for an impact bat with three or more years of team control in the past. That means there’s zero chance he moves either of them for a one year rental.

3. Jon Heyman predicts that as many as 10 teams will have serious interest in Cespedes this Winter. When was the last time you saw the Mets engage in a bidding war let alone win one? Even recent signings like Chris Young, Bartolo Colon and Curtis Granderson all came without any real competition from other teams. Nobody wanted Colon for 2 years, Granderson for 4, and Young was just extraordinarily inexplicable.

4. In the extremely remote possibility that Cespedes would sign an extension, in what alternate universe will the Mets have the resources to add another $100 million dollar player when they already have David Wrightand Curtis Granderson set to earn $36 million combined annually for the next three years? That would mean over $50 million and nearly two-thirds of the payroll concentrated on three players.

Bottom Line?

Don’t hold your breath on Cespedes and just learn to deal with the reality of the Mets financial conundrum. I don’t have a problem with Cespedes, but I live in the real world. I’m not buying any blog-sourced buzz that there’s any Mets interest in him anyway. Thanks for writing in.

Cespedes is in the final year of his deal and will earn $10.2 million in 2015. He appears intent on becoming a free agent and was standoffish on engaging in long-term talks with the Red Sox.

Cafardo adds that Cespedes has no desire to play right field or work on his defense, which is likely fueling Boston’s desire to deal him, especially with a glut of outfielders and Mookie Betts close to an everyday outfield job.

Hey, I don’t have a problem with Cespedes, but I live in the real world. I’m not buying the buzz that there’s any Mets interest here, especially when you consider the prospects we’d have to give up for what’s essentially a one-year rental.

And in the extremely remote possibility that Cespedes would sign an extension, in what alternate universe will the Mets have the resources to add another $100 million dollar player when they already haveDavid Wrightand Curtis Granderson set to earn $36 million combined annually for the next three years?

Gabriel asks…

What would it take to acquire Mookie Betts from Boston? I like the idea of getting him much more than the Mets going for Yoenis Cespedes. For a kid his size (5’9″, 155 lbs), there’s a lot of power there while he has room to fill out, and he would fill a need for the Mets out of the leadoff spot.

Tommy replies…

Betts is a very solid prospect, although not an elite prospect. He plays second base, although the Red Sox have tried turning him into an outfielder to accommodate Dustin Pedroia. Betts was called up in June and hit .291/.368/.444 with 5 homers in 52 games.

What would it take for the Mets to get him? I’m not sure. Probably a nice pitching prospect, or maybe a “real” pitcher. I’m not sure if Jon Niese would be too much. Probably not. Rafael Montero plus another good but lesser prospect might do it. But these days, hitters and hitting prospects, are very expensive in trades, which is why we have been hearing about the Mets needing to give up multiple premium prospects for shortstop prospects who aren’t all that impressive… So I’m inclined to say Mookie would be expensive, too expensive for him to be worth it.

But more importantly, I don’t think it’s a move the Mets should make. They have Murphy. They have Flores. They have Herrera. If they’re going to be dealing pitching (which is the likely outcome in such a trade), they should be filling holes, not adding to their cluster at 2nd base. I don’t think Betts is the guy. If we’re trading our pitching prospects and our pitchers, we should be bringing in established bats.

Cespedes, on the other hand, brings big power and gives us a solid player in left field, which is something we do not have right now. He only has 1 year on his contract, which makes it a risky trade, but also makes him cheaper to acquire. And once the Wilpons bring in a guy like that, you can bet the pressure will be on to pony up and keep him around if he performs.

I suppose if the Mets wanted to get fancy, they could swap 2B for 2B, since Murphy makes much more than Betts and every dollar matters in terms of patching up this team’s holes, but I’m not sure that works for either team… again, the Red Sox are completely set at 2B themselves.

These two teams match up in some areas, but both teams have a logjam at 2nd base, so neither team is well-suited to clear up the other club’s logjam.

First of all, I can’t take credit for formulating this entire idea on my own. It was a Twitter conversation involving my brother that actually started me down this line of thinking. Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Céspedes was acquired at the trading deadline from the Oakland Athletics for their long time ace Jon Lester. He is a pure power corner outfielder, just the type of guy the Mets need heading into next season.

There are a few things that stand in the way of the Mets making this deal.

1. Why would the Red Sox give him up? After trading away Lester they obviously like his talent and fit in the lineup. What works against the Red Sox are the guys they already have on the roster. With Allen Craig signed for next year and Rusney Castillo likely to take over in center, that leaves one vacant outfield spot. If the Sox are ready to get young, they may want Mookie Betts in the lineup. That leaves an overflow, especially with the return of Shane Victorino next season.

2. What do the Mets have that the Red Sox might want? Obviously the Mets will look to trade this offseason from a position of strength. They have one of the best farm systems in baseball when it comes to pitching and they have it at all levels. It’s likely that they’ll want to center a trade around a guy like Noah Syndergaard but in this case I’m not sure it would even take that. Without Lester (unless he resigns as a free agent), the Sox don’t have a bonafide ace and their rotation from top to bottom is very weak. Instead of trading for a top pitching prospect, it might make more sense to deal for a guy like Jon Niese or Dillon Gee (or both). They are major league ready and could fill immediate gaps in the rotation.

It would obviously take more than Niese or Gee. The Red Sox are without a third baseman heading into next year and the Mets have a few guys that have the potential to fill that void. Daniel Murphy and Wilmer Flores are the two that come to mind. Both would provide a bat in the lineup and can do an average job with the glove. Beyond those two players, it’s hard to say what the Sox would want. Would they want another top catching prospect like Kevin Plawecki to pair with Black Swihart? Would they want Rafael Montero or one of the Mets young relievers? Until the season ends and free agency begins this will be tough to gauge. Either way, I believe the Mets have enough players to get a trade like this done.

3. Can the Mets find the money? The final piece of this puzzle is also the most interesting. If Sandy Alderson sends a plethora of young talent up to Boston for Céspedes, the Mets will need to make sure he’s here for the long haul. This can’t be a one year solution if you’re giving up the type of talent it will likely take. Céspedes is signed through through 2015 at $10.5 million. It will make sense for the Red Sox to want to trade him if they don’t feel he is worth resigning and that want could play into the Mets hand if they’re willing to open up their wallets.

Jeff Wilpon stated yesterday that the team would have payroll flexibility and why not demonstrate that by signing this guy to an extension? He’ll be 27 when next season starts and has averaged 28 home runs per year to pair with 165 hits (average over 162 games). This is the type of player the Mets desperately need and I believe there is a trade here that fits both sides. The real question will be, once he’s here will the Mets have the resources to get him locked up longterm?

Drew, 31, signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox in late May. He is really struggling, hitting .176/.255/.328 in 39 games this season. Drew had a solid season last year, batting .253/.333/.443.

This is a puzzling deal for the Yankees but a good one for Boston. They get salary relief and will get Kelly Johnson out of it. The Yankees struck out in their search for a big bat today, but they may have a second baseman for the rest of the year.

The Red Sox are tearing down everything right now. They have now dealt 4/5 of their Opening Day rotation, and have shed some more salary. However, they have recovered some other pieces that could be useful in the years to come.

In 52 seasons, we’ve have had 13 different pitchers with just one Opening Day start on their Mets resumes. On Monday, Dillon Gee joins that group which includes some pretty impressive names.

Here are those one-time Opening Day Wonders for the Mets:

1966 Jack Fisher • Jack was the Opening Day starter just one year after leading the National League with 24 losses in 1965. Jack went 11-14 that year with an ERA of 3.68 in 38 games (33 starts) in 230 innings. In an 11 year MLB career (1959-1969) with the Orioles, Giants, Mets, White Sox, and Reds, he had a career record of 86-139 with an ERA of 4.06 and 9 saves in 400 career games (265 starts) and threw 1975 2/3 innings. Fisher pitched for the Mets from 1964-1967.

1967 Don Cardwell• Cardwell was the Opening Day starter in the first of his 4 seasons with the Mets (1967-1970) and went 5-9 with a 3.57 ERA in 26 games (16 starts) and 118 innings. In a 14 year MLB career (1957-1970), he pitched in 410 games (301 starts) with a record of 102-138 and an ERA of 3.92 and 7 saves in 2123 innings.

1978 Jerry Koosman • With Tom Seaver getting the OD nod from 1968-1977, Jerry started his only Opening Day with the Mets in 1978, his last season with the team. Kooz had a record of 3-15 and an ERA of 3.75 and 2 saves in 235 1/3 innings (38 games – 32 starts). In his 19 year MLB career (1976-1985) Koosman pitched for the Mets, Twins, White Sox, and Phillies with a record of 222-209 and an ERA of 3.36. Koosman spent 12 years with the Mets (1967-1978) and is in the all-time Mets Top 10 in the following categories: 3rd in Wins (140); 5th in ERA (3.09); 4th in appearances (376); 2nd in games started (346); 2nd in innings pitched (2,544.2); 3rd in strikeouts (1,799); 2nd in complete games (108); 2nd in shutouts (26).

1981 Pat Zachry • Spent 6 seasons with the Mets (1977-1982) and in 1981 he went 7-14 with an ERA of 4.14. Zachry made 24 starts and pitched 139 innings, leading the National League with his 14 losses in a strike-shortened season. In a 10 year MLB career (1976-1985) with the Reds, Mets, Dodgers, and Phillies, Pat had a career record of 69-67 with an ERA of 3.52 and 3 saves. He pitched in 293 games (154 starts) and 1177 1/3 MLB innings.

1982 Randy Jones • Jones pitched 2 seasons with the Mets (1981-1982), the last of his 10 year MLB career. In 1982, he went 7-10 with a 4.60 ERA in 28 games (20 starts) in 107 2/3 innings. He had a career record of 100-123 with a 3.42 ERA and 2 saves in 305 games (285 starts) and 1,933 innings.

1984 Mike Torrez • Pitched 2 seasons with the Mets (1983-1984) and got the ball on Opening Day the year after leading the National League in Losses with 17 in 1983. In 1984, he pitched in 9 games for the Mets (8 starts) with a record of 1-5 and an ERA of 5.02 in 37 2/3 innings. In 18 MLB seasons (1967-1984) with the Cardinals, Expos, Orioles, A’s, Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets, he pitched in 494 games (458 starts) with a record of 185-160 and an ERA of 3.96 in 3043 2/3 innings.

1987 Bob Ojeda • The year after the Mets won the World Series, Bob Ojeda had his only Mets OD start. Bobby-O pitched 5 seasons with the Mets (1986-1990) and in 15 MLB seasons (1980-1994) with the Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers, Indians, and Yankees, he pitched in 351 games (291 starts) with a record of 115-98 and an ERA of 3.65 and 1 save. In 1987, he had a record of 3-5 and an ERA of 3.88 in 10 games (7 starts) in 46 1/3 innings.

1992 David Cone • Pitched 7 seasons with the Mets (1987-1992, 2003). In 1992, he had a record with the Mets of 13-7 and an ERA of 2.88 in 27 starts and 196 2/3 innings before being traded on August 27 to the Blue Jays for Jeff Kent and Ryan Thompson. In 17 MLB seasons (1986-2001, 2003) with the Royals, Mets, Blue Jays, Yankees, and Red Sox, Cone pitched in 450 games (419 starts) with a record of 194-126 and an ERA of 3.46 and 1 save in 2,989 2/3 innings. He was a Cy Young award winner in 1994 with the Royals.

1997 Pete Harnisch • Pitched 3 seasons with the Mets (1995-1997) and in 1997, he appeared in only 6 games for us (5 starts) with a record of 0-1 and an ERA of 8.06 in 25 2/3 innings. In 14 MLB seasons (1988-2001) with the Orioles, Astros, Mets, Brewers, and Reds, Harnisch pitched in 321 games (318 starts) with a record of 111-103 and an ERA of 3.89 in 1959 innings.

2000 Mike Hampton • Mike got the nod in his only season with the Mets after being acquired in an offseason trade from the Houston Astros. In 2000, he had a record of 15-10 with an ERA of 3.14 in 33 starts and 217 2/3 innings. He pitched 16 years in the Majors (1993-2005, 2008-2010) with the Mariners, Astros, Mets, Rockies, Braves, and Diamondbacks. He appeared in 419 games (355 starts) with a record of 148-115 and an ERA of 4.06 and 1 save, pitching 2268 1/3 innings.

2005 Pedro Martinez • The 3 time Cy Young award winner pitched 4 years for the Mets (2005-2008) and played 18 years in the Major Leagues (1992-2009) for the Dodgers, Expos, Red Sox, Mets, and Phillies. In 2005, Pedro made 31 starts with a record of 15-8 and an ERA of 2.82 in 217 innings. In his career, this future Hall of Famer had a record of 219-100 and an ERA of 2.93 and 3 saves in 476 games (409 starts). He pitched 2827 innings in his career and his 3154 strikeouts is 13th on the all-time MLB list. Pedro’s career WHIP of 1.05 is 4th best in history and the lowest among all pitchers who’s careers ended after 1917.

2011 Mike Pelfrey • Mike pitched 7 seasons with the Mets (2006-2012) and in 2011, he had a record of 7-13 with an ERA of 4.74 in 34 games (33 starts) and 193 2/3 innings. In 8 MLB seasons (2006-2013) with the Mets and Twins, Mike has a career record of 55-67 with an ERA of 4.48 and 1 save in 1049 innings.

2013 Jon Niese • Last year’s opening day starter has spent his entire 6 year MLB career with the Mets (2008-2013) and in 2013 he went 8-8 with an ERA of 3.71 in 24 starts, throwing 143 innings. He has a career record of 43-40 and an ERA of 3.99 in 119 games (118 starts) with 704 innings pitched.

The Tigers will instead go with internal candidates to replace shortstop Jose Iglesias who is likely out for the season.

Detroit might still pursue a trade for a new shortstop, but they will not pursue Drew and forfeit their No. 23 pick in the upcoming draft.

Meanwhile the Mets say that a new shortstop to replace Ruben Tejada will not be entering the scene anytime soon.

Nothing happening with Stephen Drew, the team has not had recent trade talks with the Mariners, and discussions with other potential trade partners have been equally muted.

Despite another bad day in the field and at the plate on Sunday by Tejada, the Mets seem resigned to at least starting the season with him at shortstop. “He’ll be fine,” a Mets official said.

There is sentiment within the front office to stick with Tejada because the available players — Drew included — likely would have minimal impact on a lineup riddled with holes.

The Mets aren’t excited about parting with top young pitching talent for a minimal upgrade to the lineup they say.

“The focus [by fans] is on what Tejada did last year, and it’s understandable — this is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately game,” the Mets official said. “But how do you know we won’t get the Tejada from two years ago?”

Tejada booted a grounder for an error in yesterday’s 10-4 win over the Cardinals and went hitless in four at-bats, dropping his Grapefruit League average to .091.

March 16

Jim Bowden of ESPN and Peter Gammons of MLB Network report that the Detroit Tigers are now ready to engage Stephen Drew to fill their now vacant shortstop position.

With the news that Jose Iglesias could now miss significant time and perhaps the rest of the season with shin splints, the Tigers are now looking at Drew.

This was something Scott Boras was hoping for, that an injury would bring teams in on his client.

March 15 12:00 PM

Scott Boras told Anthony Rieber of Newsday that he has engaged in discussions with the Mets. ”I have certainly had dialogue with them,” Boras told Rieber on Friday. “The message has always been that they have interest in Stephen but they wanted to see how things went in spring training.”

“I think the earnestness of a franchise and their desire to win is always appraised by their conduct in pursuing the available talent,.”

He blasted the compensation system and said there are teams desperate for a shortstop with his client still unsigned. When asked whether he was speaking of the Mets, Boras said:

“I’m not speaking about anyone specifically. I’m just speaking generally about the reason that these players are coveted, the reason that these players are so valuable, the reason they sign late, is teams get to look in spring training and the obvious weaknesses of clubs is revealed. The fans of the respective teams really get to look inside what can really help their team and the fact that this talent is available. And there are those teams that this talent is available without the detriment of losing a first-round pick. It’s rare that you have that opportunity.”

Dan Martin of the New York Post says that at least one person close to Stephen Drew believes the free agent shortstop will end up elsewhere and not with the Mets. He points out that Boras only acknowledged there is communication between the two sides. But Drew continues to look for a multi-year deal, something the Mets haven’t been interested in offering.

Additionally, manager Terry Collins issued his strongest defense of Ruben Tejada this spring and took him aside to tell him he’s the team’s shortstop.

“It meant a lot because he’s your manager,” Tejada said. “(He said) ‘Don’t think too much. Last year was last year, it’s history.’ Helped me concentrate on this year and keep it going forward and keep working every day.”

Former Met Edgardo Alfonzo worked with Tejada before Friday’s game. “He’s a veteran guy,” Tejada said. “He knows the game better than me and tried to help me.”

Tejada went 1-for-3 against the Marlins and is now 2-for-18 during spring training. He was also fine in the field.

With 15 days left until Opening Day it looks like the Mets are digging in. But looks can sometimes be deceiving.

March 14

Stephen Drew says that if he were signed tomorrow, he would be ready to play and he wouldn’t miss a step. In an interview with the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo, Drew hints at his frustration with his plight since rejecting the Red Sox’ qualifying offer for $14.1 million.

“I wish I had a crystal ball so I could read these things into the future,” said Drew.

“It’s crazy being in the league for eight years and being in this situation. I know I hit a slump in the World Series and you never want to get into a slump in the World Series. But I thought I played good defense when it counted. I thought I helped save runs. I thought it was my best defensive year.”

Drew trains at St. Thomas University with fellow major league free agent Kendrys Morales and coach Alex Ochoa, who joined the Scott Boras Corporation last season and manages the Boras training facility.

“Of course I’d rather be in a major league camp,” Drew said. “You have a short window to play baseball. I feel I’m in my best years right now. I’ve never been healthier and I think my game has evolved. I wish I was playing baseball, but I’ll be patient until something comes along.”

When asked if he expects to play this season, Drew responded, “Yes, I do.”

“I have too much talent and the ability to help a team to think I’m not going to play baseball this year. I don’t know where that’s going to be, to be honest with you…I drove in more runs than I had in any year of my career.”

Drew, who made $9.5 million with the Red Sox last season is still looking for a multi-year deal. His agent has said they are prepared to wait as long as June rather than accepting a lesser deal now and be in the same position next offseason.

“The system they’ve been dealt has basically prevented them from free agency. They want to make sure about their next step, whatever that will be. It means either signing a long-term contract now — and we’re still taking offers on those — or a number of other prospects that could occur after the season starts or in June, after the draft happens.”

He went on to compare the free agency of Drew and Morales to being in jail, and that the integrity of the game is at hand.

Boston Herald sports reporter John Tomase says that free agent shortstop Stephen Drew has not received a contract offer from the Red Sox for more than one season as had been previously reported.

A source told Tomase that Drew is looking for at least a one-year deal with an option for a second year.

Yesterday, Sandy Alderson did say he could sign Drew, but only under the right circumstances, and that he would not sign any player for $15 million at this stage of the game.

Wow, this story just keeps getting wackier and wackier.

February 11

Sandy Alderson was a guest of Mike Francesa on Tuesday and was asked if he had the wherewithal to sign Stephen Drew.

Alderson responded by saying, “if you are asking me if we could sign another player for $15 million a season, the answer is no.”

He added that he could sign Drew on his terms, but the fact is that any deal would have to be on mutual terms.

I guess that was his way of saying that Drew is looking for at least a two-year, $30 million deal or a three-year, $45 million contract.

It certainly didn’t sound like the team was still counting on signing Drew and that Ruben Tejada will be the starting shortstop, but that’s just my read on the situation based on what I heard.

Funny thing, Francesa never bought up his breaking news that the Mets had agreed on dollars with Drew last week…

February 10

A Mets official said Sunday there was “nothing” indicating progress on the Drew front. Just like the Red Sox, the Mets are amenable to signing Drew for a short-term deal. Drew’s agent, Scott Boras, who possesses a rich history of extending his clients’ employment searches into spring training, naturally wants more years guaranteed.

There were a couple of other rumors on Friday and Saturday about the Mets being the best fit and how they were still negotiating and getting close, but those accounts predate this report from Puma and comes directly from a Mets source.

Also, this from Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington:

“Stephen did an excellent job for us last year. He was a really solid player. He was a big part of our team. And so out of respect to him, we’ve kept a dialogue going, But at this point, we’re really focused on the guys we have on the roster. … I wouldn’t expect anything major to happen between now and when we report, at this point.”

I would imagine every GM would probably say the same thing at this point in deference to their current players, many who have already showed up to camp early.

It’s like Sandy Alderson saying that “we are very happy with Ruben Tejada and Ike Davis and look forward to seeing them have a solid camp.”

You see what I did there?

February 8

Stephen Drew’s agent, Scott Boras, is seeking an opt-out clause after the first year of a deal, reports ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin.

Rubin says that though the Mets are willing to consider guaranteeing two or even three years to the free agent shortstop, they view the opt-out as a “deal-breaker.”

And the plot thickens.

Of course the opt-out clause would diminish his trade value should that eventuality present itself…

February 7

According to Sandy Alderson, the Mets are now willing to offer three years to free agent Stephen Drew.

It’s a departure from what we’ve been hearing from Alderson all Winter long and it may signal that the Mets might be willing to blink and give Drew what he wants.

On Tuesday, Mike Francesa said the Mets made an offer to Drew, but that was strongly refuted by the team.

“It’s the number of years. They’re fighting over the number of years. I know they have made him an offer … It’s not the money. It doesn’t matter if they did a refinance or not. They already offered him the money. It’s a questions of years. They already made him an offer.”

Maybe it is the years…

Drew clearly is on the Mets’ radar but team executives continued to say that it was a “long shot” as recently as 48 hours ago, so that makes Alderson’s comments quite surprising to say the least.

Of course he was addressing a group of season ticket holders and that may have something to do with it as well.

Boras is believed to be seeking a deal of at least three years for Drew and the Red Sox reportedly have extended a two-year offer to Drew, but with no guarantee he would be their starting shortstop.

The Mets quickly denied that they made any offer to Stephen Drew as WFAN’s Mike Francesa inaccurately reported this afternoon on the air. Kristie Ackert of the Daily News confirmed the news from the Mets.

According to Francesa, the shortstop and the club are negotiating the length of the deal.

“It’s number of years, they’ve already made him an offer,” Francesa said. “It’s the number of years. They’re fighting over the number of years. I know they have made him an offer … It’s not the money. It doesn’t matter if they did a refinance or not. They already offered him the money. It’s a questions of years. They already made him an offer.

“I think that Stephen will always have other opportunities. We continue to monitor his situation. We’re looking at other free agents that are still available and trying to judge their status, and how they might fit with us. I know there’s been a lot of speculation about Drew and the Mets, but at this point, that’s what it remains — speculation.”

Original; Post 1/28

Andy Martino reports that the Yankees could use an infielder like Stephen Drew, but are highly unlikely to bid for him, according to major league officials who have been in contact with Yankee brass.

Team officials refused to comment one way or another about Drew, but league sources familiar with the Yanks’ plans have picked up a strong sense that the club won’t pursue the free agent and it appears that, despite holes in the infield and bullpen, the Yanks really have completed most of their winter work.

Drew remains a possibility for the Mets, but the team has shown little urgency there, preferring to sign the 30-year-old to a one-year deal, writes Martino. The Red Sox have some interest in a reunion, but would also limit the length of any deal to a year or two. Oakland and Minnesota have surfaced as other possibilities writes Martino.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports appeared on MLB Network last night, and Ben Nicholson-Smith of MLB Trade Rumors caught this update on Drew:

The Blue Jays are “in the mix” for shortstop Stephen Drew, presumably viewing him as a second base option.

Nevertheless, the Red Sox remain the favorites to land him, as they prefer to play Xander Bogaerts at third and appear willing to give Drew multiple years. Boston could dangle an opt-out clause of some kind to sweeten things for Drew.